My first baby was premature, will it happen again?

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It may do. While a previous premature birth does make it more likely that you'll have another premature baby, this isn't always the case. Many women whose first child was premature go on to have their next baby at full-term. Full-term is between 37 weeks and 41 weeks.

How premature your previous baby was does have some effect. There's a higher risk of having another premature baby if your previous baby was born between 20 weeks and 31 weeks. However, that risk is reduced if your previous baby was born between 32 weeks and 36 weeks.

It's only natural that you're worried about having another premature birth. As you've already been through it, you're well-placed to monitor your pregnancy.

While there are no guarantees, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of having another premature baby:

Book your antenatal care as soon as you know you're pregnant, and go to all your appointments. You can then be referred for specialist care if and when you need it.

Don't smoke, drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. All these are associated with an increased risk of premature birth. Your midwife or GP can put you in touch with local stop-smoking support.

Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be able to opt for midwife-led care (Sandall et al 2013). However, your care may be led by a consultant obstetrician, who will help to create a plan for support throughout your pregnancy.

Doctors can sometimes take steps to make sure that you avoid another premature labour. For example, if cervical weakness caused a premature birth previously, your doctor may offer to put a stitch in your cervix.

Or you may be offered a vaginal scan to check the length of your cervix. If your doctor finds a shortening of your cervix, then you may benefit from hormonal treatment.

As your pregnancy progresses, you'll be monitored by your obstetrician or midwife for any warning signs of early labour. Make sure you know how to contact your midwife or the hospital quickly. Call them if you have any concerns.

My waters broke at 32 weeks and then I had my son naturally a week later. No apparent reason for it to have happened - I'm due my 2nd in may 2015, and I will be ready from 30 weeks onwards this time, just in case!!!!!

i was unaware of my first pregnancy and had my daughter at 28 weeks, she is now 1yr old and doing great. i just recently found out that im about 9weeks pregnant, im having some cramping and vaginal soreness is this normal? and will i be more at risk of miscarrying or have another preterm baby?

My 1st pregnancy I had baby @33wks. An all I was told they baby had pood an was in distress that's y it happened. 8 yrs later I'm preg 31 wks now an it's a very very hard pregnancy compared to last 1!! I have proper bad indejestion, I get though at most 3 bottles of gaviston a wk. an I keep been ing sick. I only have to think of a egg an my bellys turning,,an last month I was badly sick as I was fetching daughter from school,,an it was cause a pic of yellow putty popped up in my head !! Lol madness,,Last 1 was so easy. I'm due May 31st. Any 1 else had same probs?

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